Wind industry says yes to regional initiatives, but final aim is a European single market by 2015

29.01.2010

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) has welcomed the publication of the European Energy Regulators (ERGEG) draft strategy on the role of Regional Initiatives towards a single energy market in Europe.

“Regional Initiatives are a very good step forward, but the final aim remains the creation of a single European market for energy which should be in place by 2015. Regional Initiatives are an effective tool towards the establishment of a single market”, Paul Wilczek, Regulatory Affairs Advisor at EWEA said.

EWEA would like to see a strategy for moving forward from Regional Initiatives to deeper market integration across Europe, and a timeline for the creation of a single European market.

Market integration is of high importance for the wind industry whose cost-effective integration into the electricity market hinges on the development of integrated electricity markets across the EU. Rules that ensure an efficient allocation of electricity from renewable sources such as wind power are also critical to the development of wind power.

A properly functioning single market will be a building block for a future power system characterised by flexibility and an increased number of market entrants, facilitating the integration of wind and other renewables.

In addition to existing intergovernmental initiatives, such as the 'North Seas Countries’ Offshore Grid Initiative', there are seven Regional Initiatives, created by European Regulators. Following the adoption of the 3rd Liberalisation Package, the Regional Initiatives have now gained a legally binding character.

EWEA is the voice of the wind industry, actively promoting wind power in Europe and worldwide. It has over 600 members, which are active in over 50 countries, making EWEA the world's largest and most powerful wind energy network.